OSHA and NIOSH issue alert for workplaces that use 1-bromopropane

On July 31, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an alert to inform employers and workers of the risks of 1-bromopropane (1-BP), a chemical used in manufacturing furniture, degreasing, and dry cleaning.

According to OSHA, 1-bromopropane exposure may result in damage to the nervous system. Animal studies show the chemical can also harm reproduction. Users expressed their concern regarding the dangers of 1-BP in OSHA’s Web Forum to Identify Hazardous Chemicals.

"The use of 1-bromopropane has increased in workplaces over the last 20 years," explained Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "Workers exposed to this toxic chemical can suffer serious health effects, even long after exposure has ended. Hazardous exposure to 1-BP must be prevented. Employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their workers."